Ordering a new laptop - operating system choice etc.

queenie

Member
I already have a PC Specialist laptop from 2013. It has Windows 10 Home 64 bit version 21H2 running. I want to order a new laptop and have decided on the configuration. I would like to know whether it would be best to transfer my Windows 10 set-up from my old laptop then upgrade to Windows 11 later.
Also, I need some advice on how to transfer over everything else from old to new device.
If I did want to transfer my Windows 10 would I need the product key (also I started out with Windows 7 in 2013)? The label on the base of my machine is in 3 pieces and somewhat unreadable. Any advice gratefully received.
 

Aza

Rising Star
Win 10 uses a digital licence, so log into your microsoft account online and you should find it there when looking at your account.

Transferring the licence also depends on what you are going to do with the old laptop, as it will mean you wont be able to use the copy of windows on it anymore.

Its a good money saver if you are retiring the old one or loading something like linux etc on the old machine.
Also pretty easy to do, but i'd strongly recommend getting yourself all setup before hand, so using media creation (can download it from microsoft) and all teh drivers etc you'll need like chipset and graphics card drivers onto a USB in advance of switching over.

Pretty sure theres some guides on the site so have a dig around.
 
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queenie

Member
Thanks. Maybe this is a silly question. If I bought my new laptop with Windows 10 installed instead of W11, would this be a problem transferring all my stuff from the old laptop which has its own Windows 10 version installed?
Re your suggestion about media creation(?) - won't my new Windows 10 have all the necessary installed anyway if I do the above?
Now I'm getting really confused.
 

Aza

Rising Star
No, the Media Creation tool is basically the installer program, you need to get it from the microsoft website (its completely free).
If you want Win 11 you can also upgrade your current windows to 11 for free (assuming the specs allow).

Media creation tool will basically make a boot USB that you plug into the new machine and boot from, it will then put windows on and go through the setup process.

It sounds more complicated than it is. The program does all the work for you.

When you get the new laptop, it will have a test version of windows on it, you dont want to use it, its not a proper version it just allows the system to be setup and tested before dispatch.

You boot from the USB, let the creation tool do its job, run windows update and install any GPU drivers you need/custom software for the laptop. That can all be found directly from the manufacturer websites (such as Nvidia or AMD for the GPU) and there will be copies of the laptop specific software available from PCS (such as control centre for hotkeys and the like).

There are guides on the site im sure... I remember seeing them in the past, alternatively ask one of the mods for some help they maybe be able to give you direct links ( @AgentCooper @SpyderTracks ?) and most likely explain it in a far easier way than I have!
 

Aza

Rising Star
Found some useful bits:
Its in this section
 
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